Fae: Lost (Lost Royal Book 1) Read online

  “Hey Mor, ready to let- who are you?” Robby McFarlan stood with his mouth hanging open like the fish he smelled like holding their pizza.

  “Fuck. I forgot he delivered on Wednesday.” With a groan, she made her way over to the door. She nudged Atreyu who refused to move out the way. He did sling an arm around her neck and pull her to him before kissing the top of her head.

  “Babe. Do you know this guy?” His eyes laughed down at her.

  “Atreyu, this is Robby. We went to high school together.”

  “What are you doing with my girlfriend?” Robby started to bluster, his face turning splotchy.

  Atreyu growled. Straight up growled. Without thinking, Mor wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. His body relaxed and the growling stopped. “Robby, we’ve been over this. I have never been your girlfriend and will never be your girlfriend.”

  Atreyu took the pizza out of Robby’s hand and handed it to Mor before shoving cash in Robby’s surprised hands. “Keep the change.” He shut the door and turned around. Atreyu took the pizza out of her hands, placing it on the table. Stalking slowly toward her and he trapped her against the fridge. “No wonder its been a long time since you’ve had sex.”

  “What? I never, I mean, I - “ Mor stopped talking and just looked up at him. Damn, he was sexy with those ice blue eyes and all that black hair. She started to say something else but stopped when Atreyu slowly lowered his head toward hers. He paused, giving Mor another second to say no before gently pressing his lips against hers. It started slow but didn’t stay that way. Atreyu slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, his other hand slipping into her hair and holding her in place as his tongue stroked her lips. She opened on a gasp and his tongue invaded her mouth. Time stood still. Mor had never been kissed like this. Like she was being savored. Like they had all the time in the world. He pulled back and placed another gentle peck on her lips.

  “Come on. Let's get some food in you so you don’t get too sick from all that whiskey.” He wrapped her hand in his, grabbed the pizzas and led her to the couch. Once she was settled against him with pizza and whiskey, he started the movie over and dropped a kiss on her head.

  Chapter 2

  Mor woke slowly, with her head pounding. Groaning, she rolled over and smacked into Atreyu’s hard body. “Good morning, beautiful.” Atreyu grinned at her. She froze, her arm draped over his naked, muscley, beautiful chest. Her hand stroked his side. She couldn’t stop. “How are you feeling this morning?” He smirked like he knew she couldn’t stop.

  “Um, my head hurts.”

  “I’ll get you something.” He stood up and her mouth dropped. He was only in his boxers. Her eyes travelled the length of his body and she prayed she wasn’t drooling as she took in the swirls of tattoos around his shoulders, down to perfect abs and then the perfect V leading down to - oh shit. Well, it was probably just because it was morning. Surely not because of her. But Mor would dream of what was hidden under those boxers because damn. He leaned in to her, took one finger and tapped under her chin. “Close your mouth, beautiful. I’m getting ideas and you don’t feel good.”

  She snapped her mouth closed and yanked the sheet up to cover her face. He laughed and she heard him walk away. After a moment, the bed dipped as he sat down on it. With an exasperated laugh, Atreyu tugged the sheet away from her face. “Take some Advil, beautiful. We have to get you packed up today.” He grinned.

  Mor sat up and took the Advil and water from him. “Um, did we, um…”

  He smirked down at her. “No. Not that I don’t want to, but I wasn’t about to take advantage of drunk you. Especially since you had such an awful day. And I would prefer you responsive.”

  “Oh. Um.” She took a breath and winced.

  Taking the cup from her hand, he pushed her gently back down onto the bed before pressing a kiss on Mor’s forehead. “Sleep a little more, my brother’s will be here soon to help load up your stuff.”

  “Wait, wh-?”

  “Sleep.”

  Before she could say anything else, she plunged into a dreamless sleep.

  Mor woke up to voices coming from the living room. Deep voices. Sexy voices. Wait, what? Fuck. Why was every other thought about sexy things? She had never thought like this before. Mor sat up, feeling much better after Advil and a nap. But how did he get her to sleep so fast? She stood up and started to walk out of her room but realized she was in her bra and panties. Granny panties. Ugh. That means Atreyu saw them. Nooooo! Okay, she had to get ready fast.

  Dashing into her bathroom she made sure it was locked on both sides since it led into the living room too. She took a fast shower (but did take time to shave), brushed her teeth and walked naked into her room towel drying her hair.

  “Oh shit!”

  Snapping her eyes up, Mor saw a man standing in her room, carrying some empty boxes. His eyes were a deep green and he had red hair falling across his forehead. Freckles were scattered across his chiseled features, breaking up his pale skin. She stood frozen as they gaped at each other.

  Finally waking up from frozen status, she yanked the towel in front of her body as the man mumbled something, dropped the boxes and hurried out of the room. She stood there a moment longer before hurrying to her dresser and pulling out a matching set of blue lace bra and thong. Because with men like that in her house she damn sure was going to be wearing something pretty. Even if only she knew about it. Shrugging, she pulled on a pair of shorts and a tank top, ready to get to work.

  “Come on, Mor. Atreyu saw your granny panties and that red headed hotty saw you naked and hunched over. But it’s okay. You are smart and sexy and you are going to put on your big girl panties and go out there. It’s moving day.” She took a breath and walked out.

  “Hey, beautiful! How're you feeling?” Atreyu set down the cup he was busy packing up and walked straight over to her, wrapping her up in a hug.

  Snuggling into him, she sighed. “I feel much better. I have no idea how you got me to go back to sleep like that.” She had a passing moment where she thought about how she should feel weird about being so affectionate. Mor had only known him for less than a day. Snuggling with strangers had never been her thing. But Atreyu didn’t feel like a stranger. It didn’t scare her like it logically should have.

  He chuckled but didn’t answer, merely dropping a kiss on the top of her head and then turned her to face the others in the room. “These are my brothers. You already sort of met Max.” He pointed over to the redhead who sheepishly ducked his head.

  “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s okay, honest mistake.”

  “I must say, I am rather jealous of that mistake.” Another man with an English accent walked forward. His deep blonde hair perfectly styled and eyes so brown they looked black. His skin was flawless and he was wearing slacks with a button down dress shirt rolled up to show inked forearms. He stalked over to Mor, lifted her hand, flipped it over and kissed her palm. “But I am grateful for the view of those legs.”

  She barely suppressed a moan as a pulse went from her palm to her clit. Maybe moving in with Atreyu was a bad idea. Or the best idea I’ve ever had!

  “This jackass is Sebastian.” Atreyu chuckled and lightly shoved his shoulder.

  “Uh huh.” She looked around. “Aren’t you a little overdressed to be packing and moving?”

  “Darling,” He looked her over slowly, “One can never be underdressed in the presence of such beauty.” He winked at her before moving back to the box he was packing up.

  Atreyu chuckled and pulled her into the living room, nudging her to sit on the couch. A moment later, a steaming cup of coffee was put in front of her by Max, who gave her a shy smile. “I found some creamer in your fridge, so I put some in. Is that okay?”

  Lifting the cup with a smile, Mor looked up at him. “Thank you, Max. It’s perfect.”

  He ducked his head with a smile and disappeared back into the kitchen. A second later, Atreyu handed her a plate of bacon
, eggs and biscuits. “Eat up! It’s a big day. Your first full day of freedom!”

  “Where did you get all this? I know I didn’t have this in my kitchen.” She dove in for the bacon and moaned as she took a bite. “I fucking love bacon.” She looked up to find Atreyu’s eyes on her mouth.

  “That would be me, darling, although our dear Max did the cooking. He is a wiz in the kitchen.”

  Max grunted behind Mor and she turned to look at him. “This bacon is perfect.” A smile briefly appeared on his face before he ducked his head and went back to work.

  “Eat up, beautiful. Let's get this big day going!” Atreyu jumped up and rushed off to the kitchen.

  She stared at the plate for a minute, dumbfounded. “I’m confused.”

  “What are you confused about, darling?” Sebastian came and sat next to her.

  “Why are you all here?”

  “Our dear brother Atreyu called, explained your situation and your awful family, and we could do nothing but come and help you spread your wings and fly.” He smirked.

  “So y’all didn’t have anything going on? Work, lives, whatever?”

  “We own a mechanic shop.” He stared at her. “Why aren’t you eating, darling? You need your strength.” His voice roughened. He picked up a forkful of eggs and held it to her mouth. “Open up.”

  Mor’s mouth opened before she could think and she took the bite from him. Oh shit, those were good too. She couldn’t help the moan that slipped out. “Oh fuck, Max you are a genius!” She grabbed the fork from Sebastian and started stuffing her face, totally focused on the craziness in front of her. Shit, literally the best food she had ever eaten. Holy fuck.

  When she had finally scraped the plate clean, Mor sat back with a groan to find all three men standing in front of her. Sebastian licked his lips, Max was smiling softly at her and Atreyu had a wicked grin on his face like he wanted to eat her. “Um. I think that's the best food I’ve ever eaten.”

  “I thought your family came from money, darling.” Sebastian raised an eyebrow at her.

  “Well, true. But I was the daughter adopted to eventually marry well.” She shrugged. “I was on a very strict regime of healthy, terrible food, and proscribed exercise including running, yoga, and martial arts. Which I only got to do if I did everything else they said and smiled pretty for pictures. Not that I actually got to spar. Can’t risk the face.” The change that came over the guys when she said that was intense. They were - angry? “Are y’all okay?”

  Atreyu started to say something when someone pounded on the door. Without waiting for her, Sebastian strode over to the door and opened it. “You aren’t the movers I hired.” His voice was sharp, his accent making the words sound harsher than what was said.

  “Who are you?”

  “Oh shit. Tom.” She plastered a smile on her face and hurried over. “Tom, what an unpleasant surprise. And Dad. You’re here too.”

  “What is the meaning of this? Who are these men? You’re mother made it very clear what was expected of you.”

  “And I made it very clear to her that I wouldn’t be coming home.” Her voice took a sharp turn.

  “We are here to move you home. Where you will do your duty to your family and marry John Davis!” Her father’s face was splotchy and he was sputtering.

  “I do believe you are mistaken.” Sebastian’s voice was deadly but his smile was wicked as he wrapped an arm around her. Mor tried not to jump as Max slid up on her other side and slipped his arm around the other side. When a warm body pressed up behind her, she leaned her head back onto Atreyu’s chest. “As you can see, we are taking very good care of Mor.”

  She shivered as Max leaned over and nuzzled her neck. “Very good care.” Mor couldn’t help but to tilt her head to give him better access.

  “So as you can see, you are not needed.” Atreyu’s hands squeezed her shoulders.

  “You - you - get your hands off my daughter!” Her dad reached out and grabbed her arm. “She is coming with me!”

  Before she could try to pull away, Mor was standing behind a wall of men. What a view of seriously perfect asses. “Um, guys?” They were growling. All of them.

  “You will not touch her ever again.” Atreyu snarled. They took a step forward. “You will never bother her again.” Another step. “Or you will deal with us.” One last step, and now Tom and Dad were halfway down the stairs. “She’s ours now.”

  They turned and ran. Literally ran. Mor started laughing, a little hysterically. “You guys. That was amazing!” She started jumping up and down. Literally jumping. “I’m free. I’m free! I’m totally broke, have no where to go, but I don’t have to go back to that awful house where they wanted to check my virginity and marry that awful man!” She collapsed on the couch, giggling like a madwoman. She closed her eyes, holding on to this delicious feeling of freedom.

  When she opened them, the guys had gathered around her and were looking at her like she had lost her mind. “Thank you. Seriously, thank you!” She grinned.

  “You may be broke now, but you do have somewhere to go.” Max’s voice was soft. “We got you.”

  “You don’t even know me.” She sat up on her elbows. “Why are you all doing this?”

  “Aside from it being the right thing to do since it really was Atreyu’s fault, it feels right.” Sebastian smiled. “Now, come on darling. Let’s get everything packed so you can start on your new life.” He reached his hand down to her.

  She grinned and let herself be pulled up. “Let's do this!”

  The movers had shown up just as they taped up the last boxes and now she was following behind Atreyu’s sleek black car with Max riding shotgun. Sebastian’s fancy red car was behind them. It was as if they felt the need for her to be surrounded at all times. It should have made her feel uncomfortable, but all she felt was safe. Protected. Loved. She shook her head. No way in hell would she ever say that to the guys.

  “Are you okay?” Max’s soft voice barely carried over the sound of the radio. His fingers gently brushed her leg before going back into his side. All day long the men had been finding reasons and ways to touch her. Not in creepy ways or anything inappropriate. Just reassuring touches as if they knew she craved it. Touch had never been on the radar of her parents with hugs and gentleness totally off limits.

  “I’m good. Just - excited? Terrified? Definitely sad, too. They’re my parents. They should have loved me, but…but I was just a tool to them.” A sob built up in her but she held it back. One tear escaped, but she pushed down the rest. Driving and crying was always a bad idea.

  “I know how that feels.” Max was staring out the window.

  “You do?” Mor wasn’t sure what to do with that, so she waited, hoping he would tell her more.

  “My parents were much like yours. I was expected to fulfill certain duties and to provide my House with heirs, but I couldn’t do it. Especially not with the awful woman they wanted for me.”

  So much to unpack in that. “That’s awful. Although, kind of nice to know I’m not alone.” She reached over and squeezed his hand. “We aren’t alone.” Releasing his hand, she moved her hand back to her lap. “So, um, how long do we have until we get to your home?”

  “Our home.” He reached over and laced his fingers through hers. “We have about an hour drive until we get to our home.”

  She smiled and kept driving. Almost exactly an hour later they pulled off the highway and started traveling further out. “Where are we exactly?”

  “We don’t live in town. We live a little farther out of town. It feels too hectic. We need…space.”

  “Space sounds amazing right now.” She grinned. A few minutes later they turned right again and kept traveling. A few miles down the road, Atreyu slowed down and turned into a drive, pausing to punch in some numbers on a key pad before pulling through the seriously fancy - and thorough - gate.

  “Code is seven-two-one-three.” Max said.

  “You’re giving me the code to your home?
”

  “Our home.” He squeezed her hand again. “Get used to saying it.” He smiled softly at her.

  She gulped, taking a shuddering breath. “Our home.” Mor hadn't even seen it yet, but it already felt more like home than anywhere she had lived before. Parking next to Atreyu, she stared out at the beautiful stone home in front of her car. “I still don't understand why y'allare doing this.” She had barely spoken, but he heard her anyway.

  “Because you’re worth it.”

  Mor swallowed hard. “You don’t know me.”

  “I know enough. I know you didn’t break when those people that pretended to be your parents raised you. I know you did everything you could to stand on your own. I know you didn’t try to hurt or use anyone to get your own way. And I know that you stood up to your adopted family when they pushed you too far.” He leaned toward her and reached a hand up to cup her cheek. “You are a strong, kind, fierce, and beautiful woman. That’s what I know.” He leaned in and kissed her. It was so different than Atreyu, but damn if she didn’t love it. His lips moved softly against her mouth as she opened for him. His tongue smoothed across hers, dancing with it gently. He pulled back with a gentle smack. “So fierce.” He pecked her lips. “So kind.” Another peck. “So beautiful.” One more and she was melting. “Let's get you settled in your new home.”

  She sat frozen in place until he walked around, opened her door, and held his hand out for her. Snapping herself out of it, she put her hand in his and let him pull her out of the car. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly one more time. “We had our housekeeper clean up a room for you. I hope that’s okay?”

  Before she could say anything, Atreyu walked up next to them and tugged her from Max’s hold and into his arms. “If he gets a kiss, I get one too.” He grinned, leaning toward her and pausing for a second before kissing her, giving her a chance to pull away. She couldn’t move even if she had wanted to. He closed the distance and kissed her softly, licking the seam of her lips and then pulling away before deepening it further “Hey, beautiful. Welcome home.”